Sports
Baseball’s Best Defenders Take Center Stage: 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists Revealed
2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The wait is over for baseball’s defensive elite. Rawlings Sporting Goods Company has unveiled the finalists for the 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Award®, spotlighting the players who turned routine plays into highlights and transformed defense into an art form throughout the season.
The Road to Gold
Since 1957, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award has represented the pinnacle of defensive excellence in Major League Baseball. This year’s finalists—three at each position in both the American and National Leagues—will compete for the sport’s most prestigious fielding honor, with winners announced during a special one-hour “Baseball Tonight” broadcast on ESPN, Sunday, November 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
“This year’s Rawlings Gold Glove Award finalists embody everything our brand stands for: precision, performance, and pride,” said Mike Thompson, Rawlings’ chief marketing officer. “Their defensive excellence is what brings energy and excitement to the game, and this announcement provides an opportunity to honor the defining moments that highlight why the glove remains such an essential part of baseball.”
Leading the Pack
The Toronto Blue Jays dominated the American League finalist count with six nominees, while the Chicago Cubs topped the National League with an equal number. Among the standouts are ten former Gold Glove winners in each league, bringing championship pedigree to this year’s competition.
American League Standouts
Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals headlines the AL shortstop finalists, joined by Texas Rangers star Corey Seager and Tampa Bay’s Taylor Walls. Cleveland’s Steven Kwan leads a competitive left field category, while the pitching position features Athletics’ Luis Severino, Rangers legend Jacob deGrom, and Yankees ace Max Fried.
National League Stars
The NL brings its own star power, with Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper making waves as a first base finalist alongside Atlanta’s Matt Olson and Cincinnati’s Spencer Steer. At shortstop, St. Louis’ Masyn Winn competes against Atlanta’s Nick Allen and Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts, who continues to prove his defensive versatility.
How Winners Are Chosen
The selection process blends traditional baseball wisdom with modern analytics. Each team’s manager and up to six coaches vote from qualified players in their league (excluding their own team members). Since 2013, the SABR Defensive Index™ (SDI) has comprised approximately 25 percent of the overall selection, ensuring statistical rigor complements expert evaluation.
The utility award follows a separate formula developed with the Society for American Baseball Research, recognizing players who excel across multiple defensive positions.
Fan Participation: The Platinum Glove
Baseball fans won’t just watch from the sidelines. Following the November 2 announcement, voting opens for the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award™—the ultimate honor that crowns the best overall defender in each league. Fan votes combine with the SDI to determine these winners.
Voting begins at www.Rawlings.com on November 2 at 9:30 p.m. ET and runs through November 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The Platinum Glove winners will be revealed at the Rawlings Gold Glove Award Ceremony in New York City on Friday, November 7.
Why Defense Matters
In an era often dominated by home run highlights and offensive statistics, the Gold Glove Award reminds us that championships are built on defense. These finalists represent the players who saved runs, preserved no-hitters, and made game-changing plays when it mattered most.
From diving catches in the outfield to lightning-quick double plays and pitchers who control the running game, the 2025 finalists showcase the full spectrum of defensive excellence that makes baseball beautiful.
What’s Next
Mark your calendars for November 2 when ESPN unveils the winners, then head to Rawlings.com to cast your vote for the Platinum Glove. Whether your team made the playoffs or not, these defensive wizards gave fans something to cheer about all season long.
For complete finalist lists and more information, visit www.Rawlings.com.
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award has honored baseball’s finest defenders since 1957, with Rawlings serving as the official glove, baseball, and helmet of Major League Baseball.
